HR1576 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1576 LRB095 22793 GRL 53226 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Bob Whitlow of West Frankfort, who passed away on September 18, 2008; and

WHEREAS, Bob Whitlow was born in Highland Park, Michigan on September 20, 1939; he was the only child of David J. Whitlow and Flora Delphia (Cipher) Whitlow; he married Mary Lynn (Niana) Whitlow on February 7, 1969 in West Frankfort; and

WHEREAS, Bob Whitlow graduated from Benton High School in 1957; he was employed by the Kroger Company from 1957 until 1963, when he joined the Illinois National Guard and served as a Supply Sergeant for about 15 years; he was also employed with the Old Ben Coal Company Mine No. 24 in Benton; after retiring, he and his wife operated Lynn RV Sales on Illinois 37 in West Frankfort; and

WHEREAS, Bob Whitlow served as president of the Franklin County Mental Health Association for a number of years; he also served on the Board of Directors of Franklin-Williamson Human Services for about 37 years and was a charter member of the Franklin-Williamson Foundation; and

WHEREAS, Bob Whitlow was an avid SIU basketball fan; he was a member of the West Frankfort Rotary Club and the Northern Baptist Church; he was a charter member of the Herrin Bocce Ball Club and was an avid bocce player for more than 50 years; he was the founder of Bocce USA, a not-for-profit bocce organization dedicated to promoting the 7,000 year old Italian game; he was responsible for the construction of the first set of indoor bocce courts south of Chicago at the VF Mall in West Frankfort, which have now been relocated to the New Beginnings Community Center (formerly Frankfort Elementary School); he was known throughout his community as "Mr. Bocce"; and

WHEREAS, Bob Whitlow was preceded in death by his parents and his son, John David Whitlow; and

WHEREAS, Bob Whitlow is survived by his wife, Mary Lynn Whitlow, and his daughters, Tracy (John) Abbott and Kristy Fozzard; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Bob Whitlow; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Bob Whitlow as an expression of our sympathy.